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Daniel K. Gardner

To understand China, it is essential to understand Confucianism. First formulated in the sixth century bce, the teachings of Confucius would come to dominate Chinese society, politics, ...
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To understand China, it is essential to understand Confucianism. First formulated in the sixth century bce, the teachings of Confucius would come to dominate Chinese society, politics, economics, and ethics. Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction explores the major philosophical ideas of the Confucian tradition, showing their profound impact on state ideology, imperial government, the civil service examination system, domestic life, and social relations over the course of twenty-six centuries. It focuses on two of the Sage's most crucial philosophical problems—what makes for a good person, and what constitutes good government—and demonstrates the enduring significance of these questions today and how the Confucian tradition sits alongside Western ideas and technology.Less